What I’ve Learned from 5 Decades of Making Music | Frankie Valli

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Rubin Report – “What I’ve Learned from 5 Decades of Making Music | Frankie Valli”

Introduction

In this heartfelt episode of The Rubin Report, host Dave Rubin engages in an intimate and insightful conversation with legendary singer Frankie Valli. Released on May 3, 2025, the episode delves deep into Valli’s illustrious five-decade-long career in music, exploring his experiences, inspirations, and the enduring legacy of his work with The Four Seasons and as a solo artist.

Mutual Respect and Admiration

The conversation opens with Rubin expressing his admiration for Frankie Valli, highlighting the profound impact Valli’s music has had on him personally and globally.

Bill Maher [00:49]: "There's something about that guy's voice like nobody can do what Frankie Valli has done for basically six decades."

Frankie responds modestly, emphasizing the importance of performing for an audience and the lifelong relationship he maintains with his fans.

Frankie Valli [00:05]: "As long as you understand that you're not doing it for you and you're doing it for an audience who may be out there waiting to hear you."

Longevity in the Music Industry

Valli reflects on his extensive career, beginning in his teenage years. He attributes his lasting presence in the music scene to his unwavering passion and the dedicated fan base that has supported him over the years.

Frankie Valli [00:32]: "Doing what you love and them loving what you're doing. Anybody who could stay with you and be a fan for as long as some of these people have been deserves to get as close to you as they could possibly get."

Rubin shares his personal journey with Valli’s music, reminiscing about his childhood experiences and the cultural significance of The Four Seasons’ story through the Jersey Boys musical and movie.

Bill Maher [00:49]: "I'm from New York, I'm from Long Island, had a lot of family in Jersey. The whole Jersey Boys story is so connected to everybody that lived in that New York Tri-State area."

Exploring Frankie's Musical Evolution

The discussion transitions to Valli’s musical endeavors beyond The Four Seasons. Rubin expresses his appreciation for Valli’s solo work, particularly highlighting the album Heaven Above Me.

Bill Maher [03:00]: "My favorite album is Heaven Above Me, which I think came out in 1980. So this is like at the end of disco. And he did this incredible song. The album is Soul, Heaven Above Me, the title song, Soul is just an absolute banger."

Valli elaborates on his artistic choices, emphasizing innovation and personal passion over following musical trends.

Frankie Valli [07:57]: "We did what we liked. We weren't following any particular trend of any sort and probably were innovators very on. I mean, Sherry was so different."

Personal Encounters and Memorable Moments

Rubin shares a touching personal anecdote about meeting Valli unexpectedly at a supermarket during the COVID-19 pandemic. This encounter underscores the genuine and unguarded nature of their interaction.

Bill Maher [12:29]: "I told him, I want him to come sing at my birthday party... And there he is, thumping a melon, and it was enough."

Valli recounts his own experiences on the road, maintaining his enthusiasm for performing despite his age.

Frankie Valli [06:22]: "We get a mixture in the audience... What could possibly be better than that?"

Balancing Public Life and Personal Joy

The conversation delves into the challenges of maintaining a public persona while cherishing personal moments. Valli discusses how the public sometimes misunderstands or takes advantage of fame, yet he remains committed to bringing joy through his music.

Frankie Valli [09:49]: "It's going to be exciting to put together the show and try to make it a little bit different, but still have the essence of everything that it originally had."

Rubin shares his admiration for Valli’s ability to connect with audiences of all ages, highlighting the intergenerational appeal of his music.

Bill Maher [17:19]: "My kids... they love it."

Family and Legacy

The episode takes a heartfelt turn as Rubin discusses his children’s love for Valli’s music, illustrating the generational impact of Valli’s work. Valli responds with warm sentiments about music’s role in family and legacy.

Frankie Valli [17:38]: "It's a good idea for every parent who has little kids to start them in and see if they could they have any musical ability."

Rubin shares a poignant story about playing Valli’s music during his dog Emma’s final days, emphasizing the deep emotional connections his music fosters.

Bill Maher [16:42]: "We gave her her last Tomahawk steak bone. And we put her in, and she was chewing on it, and we played Who Loves You."

Conclusion

The episode culminates with both Rubin and Valli expressing their mutual respect and appreciation. Rubin acknowledges Valli as one of the last living legends who continue to inspire and bring joy through his timeless music.

Frankie Valli [22:54]: "Frankie, Frankie, come on. We can do better than that."

Bill Maher [15:32]: "I can't tell you how many times we have had parties in this backyard right here. [...] That's the beauty of music."

Notable Quotes

• Frankie Valli [00:49]: "Anybody who could stay with you and be a fan for as long as some of these people have been deserves to get as close to you as they could possibly get when they can."

• Bill Maher [07:33]: "We're just about ready to do that."

• Frankie Valli [06:05]: "Doing what you love and then loving what you're doing, it's amazing."

• Bill Maher [17:20]: "They got it. These kids got it."

Final Thoughts

This episode of The Rubin Report serves as a tribute to Frankie Valli’s enduring influence in the music industry. Through candid dialogue and personal stories, Rubin and Valli explore the essence of artistic passion, the challenges of maintaining relevance, and the profound connections that music fosters across generations. For listeners who cherish musical legends and seek inspiration from enduring careers, this episode offers both nostalgia and valuable insights into the heart of a true music icon.

Transcript

[Bill Maher]

Well, Frankie, it's a true honor to sit with you.

[Frankie Valli]

As long as you understand that you're not doing it for you and you're doing it for an audience who may be out there waiting to hear you bought a ticket or waited six months until you appeared in your place. So that's what keeps us fresh. I've been doing this since I was about 16 or 17. Can you imagine what it's like to have an audience your whole life?

[Bill Maher]

No, I can't.

[Frankie Valli]

Doing what you love and them loving what you're doing. Anybody who could stay with you and be a fan for as long as some of these people have been deserves to get as close to you as they could possibly get when they can.

[Bill Maher]

Yeah. So I've always loved Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons from the first time I heard them. I can't tell you that I remember the exact first time that I heard them, but it must have been somewhere around 10 or 11 years old. I can sort of picture the park in the town that I lived in and just going to summer concerts with my parents, and they'd have all these cover bands of the bands that they used to listen to when they were kids, you know, 50s 60s music. And I remember oh, what a Night and obviously Grease and, you know, all the major hits that everyone knows about. There's so many others now that I love that were lesser hits over the years. Some of them that we're listening to all the time here. But there was something about that guy's voice. I mean, everyone knows there's something about that guy's voice like nobody can do what Frankie Valli has done for basically six decades. And then, of course, over the years, not only did I love the music, but then Frankie himself sort of became a legend through the Jersey Boys musical, which then became a movie as well. And, you know, I'm from New York, I'm from Long island, had a lot of family in Jersey. The whole Jersey Boys story is so connected to everybody that lived in that New York Tri State area. There's sort of mafia parts of it and foods and accents and all of these things. And the story of a guy as they go into, in the. In the play and in the movie of a guy who was doing something for the love of music. Not just Frankie, but the Four Seasons as well, all of them. And then had the trials and tribulations, lost a daughter, dealing with, you know, one of the other guys, getting them into debt and just going and going and going. I've just. I've Always just had this affinity towards all of that. But, of course, at the end of the day, it comes down to the music. And over the last couple years, we've just introduced a million people to some of the stuff that people don't know from. From the Four Seasons and what Frankie's been doing. Cause he had solo albums as well. My favorite album is Heaven Above Me, which I think came out in 1980. So this is like at the end of disco. And he did this incredible song. The album is Soul, Heaven Above Me, the title song, Soul is just an absolute banger. There's another one on there. Let It Be. Whatever it is. That's amazing, too. Passion for Paris. These are not the songs that most people think of. Most people think of Sherry and they think of Walk Like a Man and the stuff from, really the 60s and 70s, and of course, oh, what a Night. And I love all those, too. And then there's. There's some other stuff that gets in there over the years. And he did more jazz stuff and ballads. But again, it was just about the voice and the joy that it has brought to my family and literally millions of people. And then it turned out that Frankie's drummer was a fan of mine. So I got to meet Frankie a couple of years ago when I lived in la. It also turned out we lived only a couple blocks from each other. And then finally, just recently, we actually got to sit down, and it is truly one of the great. For me, it's one of the greatest moments of my career. You know, I've interviewed presidents, I've interviewed prime ministers, I've interviewed comedians who I've loved and actors and all sorts of politicians and pundits and all of that stuff. But there are a few that really stand out as something that were just more important to me personally than just, like, the public side of all of this. And this absolutely was one. And the guy at 90 years old, I've seen probably a. I've been to probably 10 of his concerts. 90 years old still out there. And as we talked about, he does it just because it still makes people happy. And what could possibly be better than that? So I hope you guys enjoyed this interview with Frankie Valli as much as I did, sitting there across from. Truly one of the last living legends. All right, well, Frankie, it's a true honor to sit with you. My audience knows how much I love you and how much joy you've brought to my family and literally the entire world. So I was thinking it's. How do I do an interview With Frankie Valli right after the sound check and before the show and everything else. And I know you don't do too many of these, so I guess, first look, Sheri, 1962, it's 20, 25 now, 63 years later. I'm only 48. It's 63 years, man. Like, do you feel as much love for it now as you fell in? How has that changed over the years? The love of the music?

[Frankie Valli]

And as long as you understand that you're not doing it for you and you're doing it for an audience who may be out there waiting to hear you bought a ticket or waited six months until you appeared in a place. So that's what keeps us fresh.

[Bill Maher]

And is it as exciting for you personally, every morning, like, when you wake up? I mean, you had a gig last night and then you get on the bus. I saw the tour bus. And then here you are again, and you got another one, I think, tomorrow.

[Frankie Valli]

Right. Well, it's always exciting. I've been doing this since I was about 16 or 17. And can you imagine what it's like to have an audience your whole life?

[Bill Maher]

No, I can't.

[Frankie Valli]

Doing what you love and then loving what you're doing, it's amazing.

[Bill Maher]

And I see. I've been to. I told you, I've been to probably a dozen of your shows, and I see grandparents now who saw you back then, now with their grandkids, and they. They equally love it. It's. It's incredible.

[Frankie Valli]

Well, because of Jersey Boys. Yeah, it's caught on with little kids and younger kids, so we get a mixture in the audience.

[Bill Maher]

What do you think? 1962, Frankie Valli, or even before that, the kid that was under the lamppost that you talk about in Jersey Boys. What do you think he would think about Frankie Valli in 2025 still out there? You think he would believe it?

[Frankie Valli]

Well, no, he'd probably think he was just dreaming.

[Bill Maher]

And do you like being on the road? Do you like actually going to all these cities?

[Frankie Valli]

But I do love performing. For me, I mean, that's really what it's all about.

[Bill Maher]

And it's crazy because I've seen you do this where the women are still coming to you and you're still touching all the hands and they love you and you're blowing the kisses and the whole thing.

[Frankie Valli]

They deserve that much. Anybody who could stay with you and be a fan for as long as some of these people have been deserves to get as close to you as they could possibly get when they can.

[Bill Maher]

Yeah. And they literally do it. I mean, you're touching hands and everything. What do you think about how the music has changed over the years? That obviously it sort of came out of sort of 50s, almost doo wop. And then you had a disco phase too. I was telling you, my kids love soul. And then even the later stuff in the 80s. There's a couple great songs on there. Did you find there were times that you've enjoyed it more, you enjoyed the music more, or was it always kind of going?

[Frankie Valli]

It was what we did is we did what we liked. We weren't following any particular trend of any sort and probably were innovators very on. I mean, Sherry was so different.

[Bill Maher]

Yeah.

[Frankie Valli]

Anything else that was out there? I walk like a man.

[Bill Maher]

Yeah. What did it feel like that day? So Sheri becomes your first number one hit and you guys, you had changed the name of the band many times. Fan members, in and out, the whole thing. Like, do you remember thinking, holy cow, like we actually did it?

[Frankie Valli]

Well, I thought I was dreaming of this, you know. And then you realize that it's happening and how great it is for you.

[Bill Maher]

Yeah, it's really kind of beautiful. What do you like the most now? Like, when you're on stage, is it a particular song that you like doing the most now or do you kind of feel it out with the crowd?

[Frankie Valli]

I like the build up and the way we place the songs in this show and some of the things that sometimes the audience hasn't heard.

[Bill Maher]

How often do you mix it up?

[Frankie Valli]

You gotta do it at least a couple years of doing what you've been doing and then start going back to the drawing board. We're just about ready to do that.

[Bill Maher]

Yeah. Oh, is that right? So what does that mean to you to go back to the drawing board now?

[Frankie Valli]

Well, it's going to be exciting to put together the show and try to make it a little bit different, but still have the essence of everything that it originally had.

[Bill Maher]

Yeah. What about being in the public eye all these years? Do you enjoy it? Is it something you care for anymore? Was it fun back then and different now?

[Frankie Valli]

It is different. I think sometimes the public takes advantage, but you've got to understand that when they are taking advantage, that's probably something they've never done before and they don't know exactly how to do it. Like they'll wait until you.

[Bill Maher]

They can't do it your way in.

[Frankie Valli]

Your mouth and they'll come and ask for a picture of an autograph.

[Bill Maher]

Well, I told you right before, the one time I bumped into you. You were at the supermarket thumping a watermelon, and you thought I was completely insane. And you're wearing a mask. It was during COVID And I tell you this crazy story. He said, okay, kid, okay. As if I was, you know, just. Just anybody, which I guess I am. So what are you. What are you looking forward to tonight?

[Frankie Valli]

We're looking forward to just having fun with the audience. It's always exciting, as I said, to work, and we haven't been here in a couple of years, so this should be really nice.

[Bill Maher]

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[Frankie Valli]

One of my favorite places. Yeah, I mean, we work probably more in Florida than any other state.

[Bill Maher]

So the other state that I know you love, obviously, is Jersey. Do you. Do you get an extra. Extra bump when you go home? How do you feel when you go home?

[Frankie Valli]

Jersey is in your blood, if that's where you're from. Wherever you're from is your blood.

[Bill Maher]

Yeah, I'm from Long island, so it's just a slightly different accent, but it's.

[Frankie Valli]

So there's something about it that's incredibly special.

[Bill Maher]

So I'm rewatching Sopranos right now, and I'm in the middle of season five. You're about to come in, and it's kind of funny because they reference you a few times in the show, and then you come in. Obviously not as Frankie Valli did. You. Were you watching it? And, like, I've got to get in this thing. How did. How did that even happen?

[Frankie Valli]

Oh, I did want to. I auditioned for it.

[Bill Maher]

Yeah.

[Frankie Valli]

Yeah.

[Bill Maher]

Did they? I assume you basically got the gig when you walked in the door.

[Frankie Valli]

The part I auditioned for, they said just didn't feel right for me and that they would write me in. And they called me a couple times after that, but nothing really came of it. And I said to myself, until they send the paper that I have to write my name on, you were gonna get it contract. I said, I'm not even gonna give it a second thought.

[Bill Maher]

Do you like acting? Did you like that when you were doing.

[Frankie Valli]

I do. I love it.

[Bill Maher]

Yeah. And it was sort of. It was almost not acting in a way. Right. It seemed like you guys were all.

[Frankie Valli]

And it's what you are. You know, you need to apply a certain part of you in acting.

[Bill Maher]

Yeah.

[Frankie Valli]

It's not straight ahead. Don't look to act, react and do it in your way as you are what you are.

[Bill Maher]

And is jazz your main thing now? I know you had a jazz album that came out last year is that I love jazz.

[Frankie Valli]

It started out, but I never wanted to be a pop singer.

[Bill Maher]

Is that right?

[Frankie Valli]

I was more interested in jazz even as young kids.

[Bill Maher]

Did you always have the voice? That's got to be the most boring question I could possibly ask.

[Frankie Valli]

I thought everybody had a voice.

[Bill Maher]

But who was the first person? Do you remember who it was or when? The moment when you were like, holy cow, this is special, what I've got.

[Frankie Valli]

Well, it took having a hit to realize that somebody recognized something that was going on.

[Bill Maher]

Yeah. Did you realize it, though, or it was just you needed that outside thing?

[Frankie Valli]

Well, I did realize it at that point.

[Bill Maher]

Yeah. Yeah. Wow. Well, Frankie, I know you got a big show tonight, so I don't want to take up too much of your time, but I'm telling you, man, you have brought so much joy to my family, my life. We play your stuff all the time. I've got. Look, I'll even show it to you. I've got. This is the most played playlist on my Spotify is. Oh, it just. Oh, it is the best. Frankie Valley we created ourselves three hours and eight minutes. And we've got some of the live stuff. We've got the old stuff. We've got when you guys got back together. I think that's around. When did you get back together? Around early 80s maybe for a little bit.

[Frankie Valli]

Yeah, I think it was.

[Bill Maher]

Yeah.

[Frankie Valli]

79 or 80.

[Bill Maher]

79 or 80. Well, this is a true honor. I. I've interviewed a lot of people that have meant a lot to me, but I really mean that.

[Frankie Valli]

And I've had a good time. Thanks, Frankie.

[Bill Maher]

Oh, yeah, I'm staying for the show.

[Frankie Valli]

Okay.

[Bill Maher]

Yeah, I'm staying for the show. I'm not going to sing during the show, but thank you, my friend. I appreciate it.

[Frankie Valli]

Okay. What was the most memorable part of the interview?

[Bill Maher]

You know, it was really after the interview when the cameras go off, that's usually when things kind of liven up and immediately the cameras went off. And I showed him my phone and I have tons of these videos. Cause we do basically a Soul Heaven Above Me dance party here at about 7:00 every night. The kids request it, usually Luke. And we run around and we're dancing and doing our thing and they absolutely love it. And I showed him the video of the kids doing that and then he really, he really. And he started asking me if they're into music and what instruments they play. And Justin plays the harmonica and Luke's got his little electric piano and that's really when he lit up and he told me a little bit about his kids and what it's like watching kids grow up and all of those things. So it's like, you know, I didn't think we were gonna sit there and it was gonna be like the most mind blowing interview of all time. But just when you're privileged enough actually to get a few minutes with someone that has literally just brought joy to your life, like, that is freaking awesome. And I can't tell you how many times we have had parties in this backyard right here. A lot of tequila at that bar right there that, you know, the Four Seasons and Frankie are. They're playing in my massive party playlist and people come up to me and they're like, what song is that? What song is that again? And I'm like, that's Frankie. And they're like, that's Frankie Valli. I can't believe that. And it could be begging. There's just a million of these bangers. And that is the cool part, that, that's the beauty of music. Right? Like, that's the beauty of art that you, it inspires you and it brings out something in you and then you can share that with other people and then they feel that thing and they find something they love. That's a really beautiful thing. But the moment with the kids was definitely the best part. My kids, absolutely. I have two twin two year olds and they love, love soul. Remember soul?

[Frankie Valli]

Yeah, of course.

[Bill Maher]

So I'll show you real quick. Every day we have a soul dance party. My two year old K, my two kids just running around it, they just, they just love it.

[Frankie Valli]

Really enjoy them because they don't stay small.

[Bill Maher]

They don't stay small forever. No. Yeah.

[Frankie Valli]

I mean, you're gonna miss so much when they start getting older.

[Bill Maher]

I know.

[Frankie Valli]

And they don't do the things that you mean.

[Bill Maher]

They're not always going to listen to me.

[Frankie Valli]

Not only not going to listen to you, they won't have time to give you a hug on the way out.

[Bill Maher]

Yeah, no, I'm enjoying it. I'm enjoying it now. And they. They love, love music. They play the piano and we got a harmonica they love and a flute. So we'll see.

[Frankie Valli]

Are they starting to play any?

[Bill Maher]

They start. They're playing, you know, not. They just like it. They just like the stuff that's around. So one of my sons, the. The bigger one, he's got a harmonica that. This first thing, he wakes up in the morning and he's doing his thing on the harmonica. We got them a little electric piano. So they're doing that.

[Frankie Valli]

That's good.

[Bill Maher]

Yeah.

[Frankie Valli]

I. I think it's a good idea for every parent who has little kids to start them in and see if they could they have any musical ability.

[Bill Maher]

They got it. These kids got it.

[Frankie Valli]

Yeah.

[Bill Maher]

Yeah. So when I lived in LA a couple years ago, it turns out that the real estate agent that sold me my house, by total coincidence, sold Frankie his house a few years before. And he lived like three blocks away from me. Anyway, I told that whole story to Bill Maher. You might remember this. Can I tell you a great Frankie Valli story? Yeah. So when I. So I moved from LA this past year, but we had my big party for me, 45th birthday last year in LA. Turns out that Frankie Valli lived like two blocks away from me in Encino. And I found that out because we had the same real estate agent or something, whatever. So I contact my guys, contact his agent, said, I want him to come sing at my birthday party. And I was like, I'll give him, I don't know, 10,000 bucks. You can literally lip sync Grease. Just come. You can stand in my bedroom on the balcony. You don't have to see anybody. You don't even have to say hi to me. Just come do. Oh, what a night. Just get, you know, literally 10,000 bucks. You're in and out in 10 minutes, literally. And of course, they wanted $100,000. Yeah. So whatever. And I know it was nuts, but I don't have that kind of money, so whatever they say, no, it's fine. So anyway, it's that day. It's my birthday. It's on a Saturday, and I have to go get orange juice. I go to the store to get orange juice, and I'm standing in the fruit section and who's there thumping a watermelon? Frankie Valli. Frankie Valli. And the universe spoke to me because I didn't need him to show up anymore. And I walked over to him. It was right when, you know, Covid was still happening. He had the mask and everything. And I just said, Mr. Valli, I know this is nuts. And, you know, like, you know, it's like when people come up to you and you. They get all like, whatever. I've met every one of my heroes, every athlete that I've cared about. I've never gotten nervous in any way. Like, I love you. You've. But you did for Frankie. But I'm not nervous now, you know? But you did for Frankie. I was having trouble talking, so he looked at me, and I was literally, like, sweating. You made this offer in the market? No, no, I didn't make the offer. I knew it. But the point of the story was that it gave me what I needed. Whatever I like. It was like the universe was just like, oh, you wanted this guy to show up. It was insane. But there he is, thumping a melon, and it was enough. So I babbled something. I don't even know what he said. He looked at me. He probably couldn't even hear me because the freaking masks and everything. And he goes, great, kid. That's great. And then turned around, and I was like, you know what? That was whatever it was that I wanted, whatever it was that I needed there. It was enough. What's a core memory you have with one of Frankie's songs? Oh, my God. I mean, there's so many outside of the dance parties. But I would say one main one that actually I think has probably been seen millions of times on Twitter is that when our dog Emma, about five years ago, when she was rolling into her last couple days, we were obviously taking a lot of videos and pictures of her, and she was pretty sick. 16 years old. She lived an incredible life. And the day we knew that we were gonna put her down that afternoon at 4pm, we gave her her last. What turned out to be her last Tomahawk steak bone. And we put her in, and she was chewing on it, and we played who loves you. And. Well, take a look. You know, they. They say you're not supposed to meet your heroes in life. Like, that's just one of those things. They're always going to disappoint you one way or another. But I have to tell you, having spent time with Frank in the afternoon, watching him do the rehearsal before the show, where, again, 90 years old, he's still fully checked in, asking about volume levels, making sure the band's doing what they're supposed to do, all of that, then going to the show that night, sold out again. I've been to a dozen of these things, but they're just great. Every time, like, within five minutes, everyone in that room is just in love with all of those songs from their childhood or from their earlier years or whether they're just finding it out now. And that's a beautiful thing because you see people that are Frankie's age, you see people that are in their 60s, you see people in their 40s, and then you suddenly see teenagers in there. So it's just absolutely awesome. And then, speaking of absolutely awesome, I actually got the shout out during the show. It doesn't get much better than that. Frankie.

[Frankie Valli]

Frankie, Frankie, come on. We can do better than that.